Episode Summary

AI is everywhere — from apps on our phones to tools shaping clinical care. But what does it really mean for women’s health? Could AI finally close the health gap — or will it reinforce the same frustrations women already face in the doctor’s office?

In this episode of Fempower Health, Georgie Kovacs sits down with Dr. Nikita Patel, a pharmacist, biomedical engineer, and healthcare innovation leader with 15 years of experience across biopharma, digital health, and AI. Nikita has held leadership roles including Director of Clinical Research & AI at Function Health, and she brings a multidisciplinary perspective on how data, diagnostics, and emerging technologies can transform health and human performance.

Together, Georgie and Niki unpack what’s misunderstood about AI in healthcare, why women’s health needs its own data lens, and how clinicians and patients alike can use AI responsibly today.

• What is AI in healthcare really doing behind the buzzword?
• Why is women’s health data missing — and how does this bias impact AI tools?
• How can women use AI to better advocate for themselves in doctor visits?
• Can AI improve clinical trials and drug development for women?
• What privacy risks should women and clinicians know about when using AI apps?
• How can healthcare providers evaluate whether an “AI-powered” tool is credible?
• What’s the future of personalized care — could digital twins and AI change everything?
• Who is responsible for setting standards for AI in women’s health?

1. Help others discover Fempower Health:

Leave a quick review on Apple or Spotify. It’s the easiest way to support our mission and amplify women’s health voices.

2. Stay connected:

Follow us on LinkedIn, Instagram and TikTok, YouTube for real-time updates, expert insights, and relatable conversations.

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**Top 50 Health Podcast of 2024**

**The information shared by Fempower Health is not medical advice but for informational purposes to enable you to have more effective conversations with your doctor. Always talk to your doctor before making health-related decisions. Additionally, the views expressed by the Fempower Health podcast guests are their own and their appearance on the program does not imply an endorsement of them or any entity they represent.**

**May contain affiliate links and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking on my links**

Women’s health faces systemic challenges that too often leave women without answers — especially in midlife, when care becomes fragmented and reimbursement models make solutions hard to scale.

In this episode of Fempower Health, Georgie Kovacs speaks with Joanna Strober, CEO and co-founder of Midi Health and a seasoned entrepreneur who previously founded Kurbo Health (acquired by Weight Watchers). Joanna shares her journey from personal struggles with perimenopause symptoms to building solutions that confront the structural barriers in women’s health.

Together, we explore why women are left to self-navigate, how venture capital and philanthropy are shaping the field, and what it will take to close the gap between research and real-world care.

If you’re a woman seeking answers about your health, or a clinician striving to better serve your patients, this episode will give you a candid look at the truth: the system isn’t designed for women — but with insight and bold action, change is possible.

• Why do midlife women often “fall out” of the healthcare system?
• How do insurance and reimbursement barriers prevent women-centered care from scaling?
• Why does it take an average of 17 years for clinical evidence to become standard practice?
• How should innovators responsibly use emerging research in women’s health?
• What role did Pivotal Ventures and Wellcome Trust’s $100M commitment play — and why isn’t it enough?
• How do venture capital investors view women’s health innovation — is it bias, or a need to show scale?
• What cultural factors lead women to tolerate suffering instead of pushing for better care?
• Where does Joanna Strober see hope for the future of women’s health innovation?

1. Help others discover Fempower Health:

Leave a quick review on Apple or Spotify. It’s the easiest way to support our mission and amplify women’s health voices.

2. Stay connected:

Follow us on LinkedIn, Instagram and TikTok, YouTube for real-time updates, expert insights, and relatable conversations.

Or join our newsletter to get curated women's health content—on your terms, in your inbox.

**Top 50 Health Podcast of 2024**

Joanna Strober is a visionary healthcare leader and CEO/co-founder of Midi Health,...

Originally published March 2021. Resharing in honor of Perimenopause Awareness Month.

Dr. Lara Briden is a naturopathic doctor and author of the bestselling books Period Repair Manual and Hormone Repair Manual. She has more than 20 years’ experience in women’s health and currently has a consulting room in Christchurch, New Zealand, where she treats women with PCOS, PMS, endometriosis, perimenopause, and many other hormone - and period-related health problems.

In this episode, Dr Briden covers:

• Stages of perimenopause and menopause
• Truths about HRT and why they are no longer called that
• Symptoms women tend to fear and solutions for each
• Why women can and should embrace this stage of life

Resources:

• Period Repair Manual
• Hormone Repair Manual

• Resources and episodes on Perimenopause & Menopause and sign up for the Perimenopause and Menopause newsletter

• Fempower Health's Menopause Resources

1. Help others discover Fempower Health:

Leave a quick review on Apple or Spotify. It’s the easiest way to support our mission and amplify women’s health voices.

2. Stay connected:

Follow us on LinkedIn, Instagram and TikTok, YouTube for real-time updates, expert insights, and relatable conversations.

Or join our newsletter to get curated women's health content—on your terms, in your inbox.

**Top 50 Health Podcast of 2024**

**The information shared by Fempower Health is not medical advice but for informational purposes to enable you to have more effective conversations with your doctor. Always talk to your doctor before making health-related decisions. Additionally, the views expressed by the Fempower Health podcast guests are their own and their appearance on the program does not imply an endorsement of them or any entity they represent.**

**May contain affiliate links and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking on my links**